bubble_chart Preparation and Dosage

Grind the above ingredients into powder. Take 3 qian (9 grams) each time, add one and a half cups of water and one Chinese Date, decoct until reduced to seven-tenths, remove the dregs, and take warm after meals.

Modern usage: Grind into powder, take 6-9 grams twice daily, taken with a decoction of Chinese Date; or it can be prepared as a decoction, decocted with water, with the dosage adjusted proportionally based on the original formula.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Tonifying qi, consolidating the exterior, and stopping sweating.

bubble_chart Indications

Exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating, aversion to wind, pale complexion, pale tongue with white coating, floating and weak pulse, or susceptibility to wind due to physical weakness.

bubble_chart Formula Principles

This prescription is indicated for the syndrome of Weiqi deficiency, which fails to secure the exterior. When the defensive qi is deficient and the striae and interstices are not tight, it is easy to be invaded by wind pathogens, hence frequent aversion to wind and susceptibility to common cold; when the exterior deficiency fails to secure, the nutritive yin cannot be retained internally, and body fluids leak out, leading to frequent spontaneous sweating; a pale complexion, a pale tongue with thin white coating, and a floating and weak pulse are all signs of qi deficiency. The treatment should focus on tonifying qi to strengthen the exterior and consolidating the exterior to stop sweating.

In the formula, Astragalus Root is sweet and warm, internally it greatly tonifies the qi of the spleen and lungs, externally it consolidates the exterior and stops sweating, serving as the sovereign medicinal; White Atractylodes Rhizome tonifies the spleen and replenishes qi, assisting Astragalus Root to enhance the power of replenishing qi and consolidating the exterior, serving as the minister medicinal. The combination of these two medicinals ensures that when qi is abundant and the exterior is strong, sweat does not leak out, and external pathogens cannot easily invade; supplemented by Saposhnikovia Root , which moves to the exterior to dispel wind and ward off pathogens, Astragalus Root combined with Saposhnikovia Root ensures that the exterior is secured without retaining pathogens, and Saposhnikovia Root combined with Astragalus Root dispels wind without harming the healthy qi.

For cases of exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating, or for those with a weak constitution prone to common cold, this formula has the effect of replenishing qi and consolidating the exterior, reinforcing healthy qi and eliminating pathogenic factors. The name of the formula, Jade Screen, implies that its function is like a protective screen against wind, and it is as precious as jade. The combination of medicinals in this formula is characterized by the use of qi-replenishing and exterior-consolidating medicinals as the main components, supplemented by a small amount of wind-dispelling and exterior-releasing ingredients, ensuring that tonification is accompanied by dispersion.

bubble_chart Pattern Identification

1. Exterior deficiency spontaneous sweating.
2. Weak constitution with recurrent common cold.
3. Pale complexion with aversion to wind.
4. Pale tongue with white coating.
5. Floating and weak pulse.

bubble_chart Formula Modification

1. Excessive sweating: Add light wheat, calcined oyster shell, Ephedra Root, to strengthen consolidating exterior and stopping sweating.
2. Nasal congestion: Add Acorus, Magnolia, Cocklebur Fruit.
3. Exterior deficiency external contraction: Combine with Cinnamon Twig Decoction.
4. Wind-cold external contraction: Add Atractylodes Rhizome, Notopterygium.
5. Blood deficiency dizziness: Add Chinese Angelica, Sichuan Lovage Rhizome.
6. Deficiency fatigue and weakness with abdominal pain: Combine with Minor Center-Fortifying Decoction.
7. Urticaria: Add Chinese Angelica, Peony Root.
8. Sneezing upon exposure to wind: Add Magnolia, Mentha.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Luo Mei's "Ancient and Modern Mingyi Fanglun, Volume 4" records Ke Qin: "The invasion of pathogens must be due to the deficiency of essential qi. Therefore, in treating wind, one should not worry about not being able to expel it, but worry about not being able to defend against it; not fear that the wind will not leave, but fear that the wind will return. Why is this? Because excessive dispersion causes the sweat pores not to close. Those who are ignorant do not know the method of supporting the interior and securing the exterior, and try various wind-dispelling medicines to expel it. What leaves will leave, and what comes will come, pathogenic qi lingers, and there is no end to it. Saposhnikovia Root circulates throughout the body and is known as the miraculous medicine for treating wind. It clears the head and the seven orifices above, removes joint pain and numbness internally, and relieves spasms of the limbs externally. It is a moistening agent among wind-dispelling medicines, and this flavor is uniquely chosen for treating wind, bearing a heavy responsibility and specializing in its function. However, Weiqi warms the muscles and fills the skin, enriches the striae and interstices and controls opening and closing. Only Astragalus Root can tonify the triple energizer and secure the defensive qi, serving as the key to defending against wind through the sweat pores. Moreover, it can induce sweating without sweating and stop sweating when sweating, with the same efficacy as Cinnamon Twig. Therefore, it can also remove wind-heat from the head and eyes, severe wind diseases, bloody defecation, uterine wind in women, and is a wind-dispelling medicine in tonic formulas. Thus, Saposhnikovia Root becomes more effective when combined with Astragalus Root. White Atractylodes Rhizome strengthens the spleen and stomach, warms the muscles, and nurtures the earth to calm wind. With Saposhnikovia Root's excellent ability to dispel wind, combined with Astragalus Root to secure the exterior, the outside is defended; combined with White Atractylodes Rhizome to secure the interior, the inside is supported, and wind evils leave without returning. Those who wish to disperse wind evils should rely on it as a screen and treasure it like jade."
2. "Classified Collection of Medical Formulas, Volume 150": "If the striae and interstices are not dense, one is prone to common cold."

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

It is not suitable for those with external contraction spontaneous sweating or yin deficiency night sweats.

bubble_chart Modern Application

This formula enhances the body's immune function, strengthens the sweat glands, and regulates skin function. It is used to prevent the common cold, for post-illness recuperation, allergic rhinitis, urticaria, and chronic diseases in individuals with an exterior deficiency constitution.

bubble_chart Comparison

Both this formula and Cinnamon Twig Decoction can be used to treat exterior deficiency spontaneous sweating. However, the spontaneous sweating in this formula's pattern is due to the weakness of Weiqi and the insecurity of the striae and interstice; the spontaneous sweating in the Cinnamon Twig Decoction's pattern is caused by external contraction of wind-cold and disharmony between nutrient and defensive qi. Therefore, this formula specializes in replenishing qi and consolidating the exterior to stop sweating, while also dispelling wind; whereas Cinnamon Twig Decoction achieves its effects by releasing the flesh and effusing the external, harmonizing nutrient and defensive aspects.